RIZAL (PRELIMS)

WESTERN IMPERIALISM
RIZAL AND HIS TIMES
ENGLAND
FEBRUARY 19, 1861  world’s leading imperialist power
 Liberal CZAR ALEXANDER II (1855-1881) issued  by QUEEN VICTORIA (1837-1901)
a proclamation emancipating 22, 500,000 serfs to  “BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES”
appease the rising discontent of Russian masses  Won the FIRST OPIUM WAR (1840-1842) against
Chinese Empire under Manchu Dynasty
JUNE 1, 1861  Acquired the land of Hong Kong (Fragrant Harbor)
 Rage of the American Civil War (1861-65) in US  Won the SECOND OPIUM WAR (1856-1860)
over the issue of Negro Slavery  Forced Manchu dynasty to cede the KOWLOON
PENINSULA opposite Hong Kong
NEGRO SLAVERY  1859, after suppressing Indian Rebellion and
 Titanic conflict dismantling the Mogul Empire, she imposed her
 Erupted in April 12, 1861 RAJ (rule) over the SUBCONTINENT OF INDIA
 Compelled Pres. Lincoln to issue Emancipation (consists of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh)
Proclamation on September 22, 1863 freeing  By winning the THREE ANGLO-BURMESE WARS
Negro Slaves (1824-26, 1852, and 1885) she conquered BURMA

BENITO JUAREZ OTHER BRITISH COLONIES

 Full-blooded Zapotec Indian  CEYLON (Sri Lanka)
 President of Mexico in June 1, 1861  MALDIVES
 ADEN
APRIL 1862…  MALAYA
 SINGAPORE
NAPOLEON III of the Second French Empire  EGYPT
 Sent French troops to invade and conquer Mexico  AUSTRALIA
 Installed ARCHDUKE MAXIMILLIAN OF  NEW ZEALAND
AUSTRIA
-puppet emperor of Mexico (June 1858-1863…
12, 1864)
-executed on June 19, 1867 FRANCE
 Conquered Vietnam
BATTLE OF QUERETARO (May 15, 1867)
 Annexed Cambodia (1863) and Laos (1893)
 Juarez defeated Maximillian’s French forces
 Merged these countries into a federated colony
and called the FRENCH INDOCHINA
ITALY AND GERMANY
- The DUTCH named it the
 European nations who succeeded in unifying their NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
own nations (INDONESIA)
ITALY
 Under the leadership of COUNT CAVOUR and of
GARIBALDI and his army of RED SHIRTS CZARIST RUSSIA
 Kingdom of Italy under KING VICTOR EMMANUEL  Conquered Siberia and occupied Kamchatka,
 ROME as capital city Kuriles and Alaska (sold to US for $7,200,000 in
1867)
GERMANY  Conquered Muslim Khanates of Bokhara
 Led by Otto von Bismarck (Iron Chancellor)  MANCHURIA (SPHERE OF INFLUENCE)
 Defeated France in Franco-Prussian war
 Established German Empire on January 18, 1871 COMMODORE MATTHEW C. PERRY
 KING WILHELM OF PRUSSIA as first KAISER of  Commanded American squadron to reopen Japan
the German Empire to the world(ended Japan’s 214-year isolation)
 EMPEROR MEIJI (MUTSUHITO) – modernized the
THIRD FRENCH REPUBLIC country by accepting western influences
 Led by President ADOLPH THIERS
GERMANY
 Became a sovereign state in January 1871
THE PHILIPPINES OF RIZAL’S TIMES
EVILS OF SPANISH RULE:
1. INSTABILITY OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
 Philippines was ruled by 50 governors general
each serving an average term of only one year and
three months
 1850, a Spanish Jurist, who was appointed OIDOR
(MAGISTRATE) of the Royal Audiencia of Manila,
and took the longer route via Cape of Good Hope
 New Jurist traveled faster via ISTHMUS OF SUEZ
2. CORRUPT COLONIAL OFFICIALS
 GENERAL RAFAEL DE IZQUIERDO (1871-73) – a
boastful and ruthless governor general, executed
Gom-Bur-Za “the Martyrs of 1872”
 ADMIRAL JOSE MALCAMPO (1874-77) – a good
Moro fighter, but inept and weak administrator
 GENERAL FERNANDO PRIMO DE RIVERA –
governor general for two terms (1880-83 and
1897-98) and enriched himself by accepting
bribes from gambling casinos in Manila
 GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER (1888-91) – a
cruel and corrupt governor general of Hispanic-
German ancestry
- Arrived in Manila a poor man and
returned to Spain a millionaire
- Received huge gifts from his wife
from wealthy Chinese
- Filipinos called him TYRANT because
he brutally persecuted the tenants of
Calamba including Rizal’s family
- CUBANS called him “THE BUTCHER”
because of his ruthless
reconcentration policy in 1896
causing the death of thousands of
Cubans
 GENERAL CAMILO DE POLAVIEJA (1896-97) –
an able militarist but heartless governor general
- Detested by Filipinos for executing
Dr. Rizal
 TOMAS DE COMYN – Spanish writer and
government official, bewailed the obnoxious fact
that:
- Ignorant barbers and lackeys were
appointed provincial governors
- Rough sailors and soldiers were
named district magistrates and
commanders
3. PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATION IN SPANISH
CORTES
 CORTES (Spanish Parliament)
 Philippine’s first period of representation in the
Cortes from 1810-1813
 VENTURA DE LOS REYES – first Philippine
delegate
- Took active part in framing the
Constitution of 1812 (Spanish’s first
democratic consititution)
- One of its 184 signers
- Abolished the galleon trade
 The Second period(1820-23) and the Third period
(1834-37) of representatives were less fruitful
 The representation of the overseas colonies in the
Spanish Cortes was abolished in 1837
 Spain ignored the fervent plea of Lopez Jaena for
the restoration of Philippine representation in the
Cortes
 Jose Rizal, M.H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena and
other patriotrs launched the PROPAGANDA
MOVEMENT, which paved way for the Philippine
Revolution of 1896
4. HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINOS
 Filipinos were denied the rights the people of
Spain enjoyed such as:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of association
 SINIBALDO DE MAS – Spanish diplomat who
lamented the inconsistency of human rights or
constitutional liberties
5. NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
 Spanish missionaries taught that all men are
children of God and as such they are brothers,
equal before God.
 However, Spanish colonial authorities did not
implement Christ’s percept of the brotherhood of
all men under the fatherhood of God
 Brown-skinned Filipinos are regarded as inferior
beings
 To them, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards
may be equal before God but not before the law
 LEYES DE INDIAS (LAW OF THE INDIES) –
promulgated by Christian monarchs to protect the
rights of the natives in Spain’s overseas colonies
 Spanish Penal Code – imposed heavier penalties
on native Filipinos
6. MALADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
 Courts of Justice were corrupt
 Filipinos called them the “court of injustice”
  Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because  FATHER RUFINO COLLANTES (Batangueno)
they could not afford the heavy expenses of - Parish priest who baptized Rizal in
litigations the Catholic Church on June 22 (3
 To the Filipino masses, a litigation in court was a days old)
calamity
 FATHER PEDRO CASANAS
7. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION - Rizal’s godfather (ninong)
 Spaniards called the brown-skinned Filipinos - Native of Calamba
“INDIOS” (INDIANS)  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOSE LEMERY
 Filipinos dubbed their pale-complexioned - Former senator of Spain
detractors with the term “BANGUS” - Served the Philippines from February
2, 1861 to July 7, 1862
8. FRAILOCRACY (frailocracia) - Denounced Sultan Pulalun of Sulu
 A government by the friars and powerful Moro datus for
 FRIARS - controlled the religious and educational fraternizing with a British consul
life of the Philippines - His achievements:
- Have tremendous political power, o Fostering the cultivation of
influences, and riches cotton in provinces
- Supervisor of local elections o Establishing politico-military
- Inspector of schools and taxes governments in Visayas and
- Arbiter of morals Mindanao
 BAD FRIARS
- FRAY MIGUEL LUCIO BUSTAMANTE MEANING OF RIZAL’S NAMES
- FRAY JOSE RODRIGUEZ  JOSE
- FRAY ANTONIO PIERNAVIEJA - chosen by his mother who was a
Caricatured by Jaena as FRAY BOTOD devotee of the Christian saint San
Jose (St. Joseph)
9. FORCED LABOR (POLO)  PROTACIO
 Compulsory labor imposed by the Spanish colonial - From Gervacio P. which came from a
authorities Christian calendar
 Males from 16-60 years old are obliged to render  MERCADO
forced labor for 40 days - Adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco
 February 3, 1885 increased minimum age to 18 (the paternal grea-great grandfather
and days to 15 of Jose Riza)
 POLISTAS – who performed the forced labor - It is a Spanish term and means
 FALLA – money paid to the government to be “market” in English
exempted from the polo  RIZAL
- In Spanish means a field where
10. THE GURADIA CIVIL (CONSTRABULARY) wheat, cut while still green, sprouts
 The last hated symbol of Spanish Tyranny again
 Created by the royal decree of Feb. 12 1852  Y – and
 Maintain internal peace and order  ALONZO
 Patterned after the famous and well-disciplined - Old surname of his mother
Guardia Civil in Spain  REALONDA
- Used by Dona Teodora from the
surname of her godmother
CHAPTER 1: ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO

THE BIRTH OF A HERO RIZAL’S PARENTS

 JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONZO
REALONDA
- Born on JUNE 19, 1861(moonlit night
of Wednesday)
- Calamba, Laguna Province, Phil.
- His mother named him after Christian
saint SAN JOSE (St. Joseph) which she
was a devotee of
 FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL (1818-1898)
- Rizal’s father
- Born on May 11, 1818 in Binan,
Laguna
- Studied Latin and Philosophy at
College of San Jose in Manila
- Independent-minded man who talked
less and worked more
- Died on January 5, 1898 in Manila at
the age of 80
 - Rizal called him “Model of Fathers” - Her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in
- June 28, 1848, he married Teodora life
- Youngest of the 13 children of Cilira  JOSEFA (1865-1945)
Alejandro and Juan Mercado - Pet name: PANGGOY
- Died an old maid at the age of 80
 DONA TEODORA (1826-1911)  TRINIDAD (1868-1951)
- Rizal’s mother - Pet name: TRINING
- Born on November 8, 1826 in Manila - Died an old maid at the age of 83
- Educated at the College of Santa Rosa  SOLEDAD (1870-1929)
(well-known college for girls) - Youngest
- Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at - Pet name: CHOLENG
the age of 85 - Married Pantaleon Quintero

RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
THE RIZAL CHILDREN Rizal was a product of mixture of races: NEGRITO,
There were eleven Rizal children – two boys and nine girls: INDONESIAN, MALAY, CHINESE, JAPANESE, AND SPANISH
 SATURNINA (1850-1913)
- Oldest PATERNAL SIDE
- Nickname: NENENG
- Married Manuel T. Hidalgo of  DOMINGO LAMCO
Tanawan, Batangas - Great-great grandfather of Rizal
 PACIANO (1851-1930) - A Chinese immigrant from
- Older brother/confidant of Rizal Changchow
- After Rizal’s death, joined the - A merchant
Philippine Revolution and became a - Married to a Chinese Christian girl in
Combat General Manila named INES DE LA ROSA
- Died on April 13, 1930 aged 79 - In 1731, he adopted the name
- Had two children (a boy and a girl) by MERCADO (market)
his mistress SEVERINA DECENA  FRANCISCO MERCADO
- Immortalized by Rizal in his book - Domingo Lamco’s son
Noli Me Tangere as Pilosopo Tasio - Married Cirila Bernacha
 NARCISA (1852-1939)  JUAN MERCADO
- Pet name: SISA - Francisco’s son married to Cirila
- Married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Alejandro
Father Leoncio Lopez) - Had thirteen children
- School teacher of Morong  FRANCISCO MERCADO
 OLIMPIA (1855-1887) - Youngest son of Juan Mercado
- Pet name: YPIA - Rizal’s father
- Married Silvestre Ubaldo (a telegraph
operator from Manila) MATERNAL SIDE
 LUCIA (1857-1919)
- Married MARIANO HERBOSA  LAKAN DULA
o Nephew of Fr. Casanas - Where Teodora’s family descended
o Died of cholera in 1889 and from
was denied of Christian burial - Last native king of Tondo
because he was a brother-in-  EUGENIO URSUA
law of Rizal - Japanese
 MARIA (1859-1945) - Rizal’s maternal great-great
- Nickname: BIANG grandfather
- Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of - Married a Filipina named Benigna
Binan, Laguna  REGINA
 JOSE (1861-1896) - Daughter of Eugenio
- Nickname: PEPE - Married Manuel de Quintos (Filipino-
- During his exile in Dapitan, he lived Chinese Lawyer
from Hong Kong)  BRIGIDA
- Rizal named their stillborn baby - Daughter of Regina
“Francisco” - Married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
 CONCEPCION (1862-1865) (Spanish-Filipino Mestizo)
- Pet name: CONCHA
- Died of sickness at the age of 3
THE RIZAL HOME
 A two-storey building; rectangular in shape; built
of adobe stones and hardwoods; and roofed with
red tiles
 Behind the house were poultry yard full of turkeys
and chickens; and a big garden of tropical fruit
trees (atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya,
santol, tampoy)
A GOOD AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY
 PRINCIPALIA
- A town of aristocracy in Spanish
Philippines
- One of the distinguished families in
Calamba
 CARRIAGE
- A status symbol of the Ilustrados in
Spanish Philippines
 PRIVATE LIBRARY
- Largest in Calamba
- Consisted of more than 1,000
volumes
CHAPTER 2: CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA
 CALAMBA
- Natal town of Rizal
- Named after a big native jar
- The happiest period of Rizal’s life was
spent in this lakeshore town, a tragic
manhood
- a hacienda town which belonged to
the Dominican Order
- A few kilometers to the south looms
of the legendary Mt. Makiling and
beyond this mountain is the province
of Batangas.
- East of the town is the Laguna de Bay
 UN RECUERDO A MI PUEBLO (IN MEMORY OF
MY TOWN)
- A poem he wrote at the age of 15
while a student in Ateneo de Manila
in 1876
EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his
happy days in the family garden when he was
three years old.
 His father built him a little nipa hut in the garden
 A kind old woman was hired as his AYA (nurse
maid)
 He watched from his garden cottage: the
CULIAUAN, the MAYA, the MARIA CAPRA, the
MARTIN, the PIPIT and other birds and listened
“with wonder and joy” to their twilight songs
 The daily ANGELUS prayer
 The happy moonlit nights at the AZOTEA after the
nightly rosary
 The imaginary tales told by the AYA aroused in
Rizal an enduring interest in legends and folklores
 The aya would threaten him with the ASUANG, the
NUNO, the TIGBALANG, or a terrible bearded and
turbaned Bombay would take him away if he
would not eat supper.
 The nocturnal walk in the town with his AYA,
especially when there was a moon
THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW
 The death of little CONCHA
 Her death made Rizal cry bitterly and then he said,
“for the first time I shed tears caused by love and
grief
DEVOTED SON OF THE CHURCH
 A scion of a Catholic clan, born and bred in an
atmosphere of Catholicism, and possessed an
inborn pious spirit, Rizal grew up a good
CATHOLIC
 Aged 3, he took part in the family prayers; his
mother taught him catholic prayers
 At age 5, he was able to read the Spanish family
bible
 he was seriously devout that he was called
MANONG JOSE by the Hermanos and Hermanas
Terceras
 FATHER LEONCIO LOPEZ – one of the men he
esteemed and respected and he used to visit
PILGRIMAGE TO ANTIPOLO
 JUNE 6, 1868, Jose and his father go on a
pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill his mother’s vow
which was made when Jose was born
 The first trip of Jose to Laguna de Bay and first
pilgrimage
 They rode in a CASCO (barge)
 Prayed at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo
and went to Manila afterwards where they visited
Saturnina (student at La Concordia College)
THE STORY OF THE MOTH
 The story of the young moth made the most
profoundest impression on Rizal
 The story of the moth and the flame was told to
Rizal by his mother on a night when her mother
was teaching him how to read a book entitled “The
Children’s Friend” (El Amigos de los Niños).
 His mother grew impatient of his poor reading
and lack of focus and always straying his eyes on
the flame of the lamp and the cheerful moths
surrounding it. Knowing his interest to stories, his
 mother decided to stop teaching him and instead
read him an interesting story.
 Upon hearing the story, it gave a deep impression
on Rizal. However, it’s not the story’s moral that
truly struck him, he actually envied the moths and
their fate and considered that the light was so fine
a thing that it was worth dying for.
ARTISTIC TALENTS
 At age 5, he began to make sketches with his
pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects which
attracted his fancy
 When a religious banner was spoiled, upon
request of the town mayor, he painted in oil colors
a new banner which delighted the town folks
because it was better than the original one
 USMAN – name of his black dog
 Age 6, his sisters laughed at him for spending so
much time making those images rather than
participating in their games. He told them “All
right laugh at me now! Someday when I die, people
will make monuments and images of me!”
FIRST POEM BY RIZAL
 Age 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in the native
language entitled “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” (To My
Fellow Children). He wrote it in an appeal to our
people to love our national language.
FIRST DRAMA BY RIZAL
 Age 8, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which
was a Tagalog Comedy. It was staged in a Calamba
festival.
 A gobernadorcillo from Paete purchased the
manuscript for 2 pesos.
RIZAL AS BOY MAGICIAN
 He learned various tricks such as making a coin appear
and disappear in his fingers and making a handkerchief
vanish in thin air.
 Entertained his town folks with magic-lantern
exhibitions. This consisted of an ordinary lamp casting
its shadow on white screen.
 Also gained skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet
shows).
 In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo (Treason), he revealed his wide
knowledge of magic.
LAKESHORE REVERIES
 Rizal used to meditate at the shore of Laguna de Bay,
accompanied by his pet dog, on the sad conditions of
his oppressed people.
 He wrote to his friend, Mariano Ponce: “In view of
these injustices and cruelties, although yet a child, my
imagination was awakened and I made a vow
dedicating myself someday to avenge the many
victims. With this idea in my mind, I studied, and this
is seen in all my writings. Someday God will give me
the opportunity to fulfill my promise.”
INFLUENCES ON THE HREO’S BOYHOOD
 HEREDITARY INFLUENCE - inherent qualities
which a person inherits from his ancestors and
parents.
-Malayan Ancestors: love for freedom, desire to
travel, and indomitable courage.
-Chinese Ancestors: serious nature, frugality,
patience, and love for children.
-Spanish Ancestors: elegance of bearing, sensitivity
to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
- Father: sense of self-respect, love for work, and habit
of independent thinking.
- Mother: religious nature, spirit of self-sacrifice,
passion for arts and literature
 ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE - environment, as
well as heredity, affect the nature of a person;
includes places, associates, & events.
- Calamba and the garden of the Rizal family:
stimulated the inborn artistic and literary talents
of Jose Rizal.
- Religious atmosphere at his home: - fortified
his religious nature.
- Paciano: love of freedom and justice.
- Sisters: to be courteous and kind to women.
- Fairy tales told by his aya: interest in folklores
and legends.
- 3 Uncles:
Tio Jose Alberto - artistic ability, who studied
11 years in a British school in Calcutta, India;
Tio Manuel - develop his frail body by means
of physical exercises including horse riding,
walking, and wrestling;
Tio Gregorio - Rizal’s voracious reading of
good books.
- Father Leoncio Lopez: fostered Rizal’s love for
scholarship and intellectual honesty.
- The sorrows in his family contributed for Rizal to
strengthen his character.
- The Spanish abuses and cruelties he
witnessed awakened Rizal’s spirit of patriotism
and inspired him to consecrate his life and talents
to redeem his oppressed people.
 AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- A person cannot attain greatness in the annals of
the nation despite having everything life (brains,
wealth, and power) without this.
- Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride
and glory of his nation; endowed by God with
versatile gifts of a genius, vibrant spirit of a
nationalist, and the valiant heart to sacrifice for a
noble cause.
CHAPTER 3: EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND
BIÑAN
 The schools were characterized by the four R’s:
READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC, and RELIGION
THE HERO’S FIRST TEACHER
 DOÑA TEODORA – Rizal’s first teacher
 PRIVATE TUTORS (in order):
-MAESTRO CELESTINO
-MAESTRO LUCAS PADUA
-LEON MONROY – former classmate of
Jose’s father; taught Jose in Spanish and
Latin
JOSE GOES TO BIÑAN
 After Monroy’s death, Rizal’s parents decided to
send him to a private school in Biñan.
 June 1869. Jose left Calamba for Biñan with
Paciano.
 Carromata – their mode of transportation.
 Aunt’s House – where Jose lodge.
FIRST DAY IN BIÑAN SCHOOL
 Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz – owner and
teacher of the school.
 Rizal described Maestro Justiniano as “tall, thin,
long-necked, and sharp-nosed with a body slightly
bent forward.”
FIRST SCHOOL BRAWL
 Jose challenged Pedro to a fight and he won having
learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio
Manuel.
 Andres Salandaan challenged Rizal to an arm-
wrestling match. Jose, having the weaker arm, lost
and nearly cracked his head on sidewalk.
PAINTING LESSONS IN BIÑAN
 Old Juancho, father-in-law of the school teacher,
freely gave Jose painting lessons.
 Jose Rizal and his classmate Jose Guevarra became
apprentices of the old painter.
DAILY LIFE IN BIÑAN
 Hears mass at 4:00 AM or studies lesson at that
hour before going to mass.
 Goes to the orchard to look for a mabolo to eat.
 Breakfast: rice and 2 dried small fish.
 Goes to class until 10:00 AM and goes home for
lunch.
 Goes back to school at 2:00 PM and comes out at
5:00 pm.
 Prays with cousins and returns home.
 Studies lesson and draws a little.
 Supper: one or 2 rice with an ayungin.
 Prays again and if there’s a moon, plays with
cousins.
BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL
 Jose surpassed his classmates in Spanish, Latin,
and other subjects.
 His older classmates were jealous and wickedly
squealed to the teacher whenever he had fights.
 Jose usually received five or six blows while laid
out on a bench from his teacher.
END OF BIÑAN SCHOOLING
 He received a letter from Saturnina
 December 17, 1870 – Jose left Biñan using the
steamer Talim for Calamba.
 Arturo Camps – Frenchman and friend of his
father who took care of him during his trip.
MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA
 January 20, 1872 – Cavite Mutiny; 200 FILIPINO
soldiers and workmen of Cavite arsenal under the
leadership of Sgt. LaMadrid
 February 17, 1872 – Fathers Mariano Gomez,
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were implicated
and executed.
 The GOMBURZA were leaders of the secularization
movement.
 The martyrdom of the 3 priests inspired Rizal to
fight the evils of Spanish tyranny.
 Paciano quit his studies at the College of San Jose
and returned to Calamba, where he told the heroic
story of Burgos to Rizal.
 In 1891, Rizal dedicated his second novel El
Filibusterismo to GOMBURZA.
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER
 In 1872, Doña Teodora was arrested on a
malicious charge that she aided his brother Jose
Alberto in trying to poison his wife.
 Jose Alberto planned to divorce his wife because
of her infidelity. His wife connived with the
Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia Civil and filed a
case against Rizal’s mother.
 Antonio Vivencio del Rosario – gobernadorcillo
of Calamba, helped the lieutenant arrest Doña
Teodora.
 50 kilometers – Doña Teodora was made to walk
from Calamba to the provincial prison in Santa
Cruz.
 Don Francisco de Mercaida and Don Manuel
Marzan – most famous lawyers of Manila,
defended Doña Teodora in court.
 After 2 ½ years the Royal Audencia acquitted
Doña Teodora.
CHAPTER 4: SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE
MANILA (1872-1877)
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the Martyrdom
of GomBurZa and with Doña Teodora still in prison. He
studied in the Ateneo Municipal, a college under the
supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.
ATENEO MUNICIPAL
 Bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San
Juan de Letran.
 Formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School) – for poor
boys in Manila established in 1817.
 In 1859, name was changed to Ateneo Municipal by
the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS THE ATENEO
 June 10, 1872 – Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went
to Manila to take the entrance examinations on
Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at College
of San Juan de Letran, and passed them. His father was
the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he
changed his mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo
instead.
 Father Magin Fernando – college registrar of Ateneo
Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: (1) he was
late for registration and (2) he was sickly and
undersized for his age (11 years old).
 Manuel Xerez Burgos – nephew of Father Burgos;
upon his intercession, Jose Rizal was admitted at
Ateneo.
 Jose used Rizal instead of Mercado because the name
“Mercado” had come under suspicion of the Spanish
authorities.
 Boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, owned by
Titay who owed Rizal family 300 pesos.
JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
 Jesuit trained the character of the student by rigid
discipline, humanities, and religious instruction.
 The students heard Mass in the morning before the
beginning of daily class.
 Classes were opened and closed with prayers.
 Students were divided into two groups: Roman
Empire – consisting of the internos (boarders) with
red banners; and Carthaginian Empire – composed of
the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners.
 Each of these empires had its rank. Students fought for
positions. Any student could challenge any officer in
his “empire” to answer questions on the day’s lesson.
With 3 mistakes, opponents could lose his position.
1st best: EMPEROR
2nd best: TRIBUNE
3rd best: DECURION
4th best: CENTURION
5th best: STANDARD-BEARER
 Ateneo students’ uniform is consisted of “hemp-fabric
trousers” and “striped cotton coat”. The coat was
called RAYADILLO and was adopted as the uniform
for Filipino troops during the days of the First
Philippine Republic.
RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-73)
 June 1872 – first day of class in Ateneo.
 Fr. Jose Bech – first professor of Rizal.
 Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he
was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an
externo and was assigned to Carthaginians. At the end
of the month, he became emperor of his Empire. He
was the brightest pupil in the whole class.
 Took private lessons in Santa Isabel College and paid 3
pesos for extra Spanish lessons.
 Placed 2nd at the end of the year, although all his
grades were still marked Excellent.
SUMMER VACATION (1873)
 March 1873 – Rizal returned to Calamba for summer
vacation.
 His sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to
Tanawan to cheer him up.
 Visited his mother in prison at Santa Cruz without
telling his father.
 After vacation, he returned to Manila for his 2 nd year
term in Ateneo.
 Boarded inside Intramuros at No. 8 Magallanes Street.
 Doña Pepay – landlady and old widow with a
widowed daughter and four sons
SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-74)
 Rizal lost the leadership but he repented and even
studied harder, once more he became emperor. He
received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
medal.
 He had 3 classmates from Biñan who had also been his
classmates in the school of Maestro Justiniano.
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
 Doña Teodora told her son of her dream the previous
night. Rizal, interpreting the dream, told her that she
would be released from prison in 3 months time. It
became true.
 Doña Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in
the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams.
TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING
 The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas –
Jose Rizal’s first favorite novel.
 Also read non-fiction, Cesar Cantu’s historical work
Universal History.
 He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor
Jagor, German who visited the Philippines in 1859-
1860. In this book, he foretold that someday Spain
 would lose the Philippines and that America would
come to succeed here as colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75)
 Shortly after the opening of classes, his mother was
released from prison.
 Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies.
 He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his
spoken was not fluently sonorous.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
 June 16, 1875 – he became an inferno in Ateneo.
 Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – inspired him to
study harder and write poetry. Rizal described him as
“model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
advancement of his pupils”.
 He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent
ratings.
LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-77)
 June 1876 – last year of Rizal in Ateneo.
 The most brilliant Atenean of his time, “the pride of
the Jesuits”.
 Obtained highest grades in all subjects.
GRADUATION WITH HIGHEST HONORS
 Excellent scholastic records from 1872-1877.
 March 23, 1877 – Commencement Day. 16 year old
Rizal received from his Alma Mater the degree of
Bachelor of Arts with highest honors.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
 An emperor inside the classroom and campus leader
outside.
 Secretary of the Marian Congregation.
 Member of Academy of Spanish Literature and the
Academy of Natural Sciences.
 Studied painting under the famous Spanish painter
Agustin Saez.
 Studied sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, noted
Filipino sculptor.
 Engaged in gymnastics and fencing.
 Fr. Jose Villaclara advised him to stop communing
with the muses and pay more attention to practical
studies such as philosophy and natural science.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
 Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of
batikuling (Philippine hardwood).
 Father Lleonart requested him to carve an image of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ateneo students placed the
image on the door of the dormitory and remained
there for many years.
ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN
 Felix M. Ramos – one of Rizal’s contemporaries in
Ateneo.
 Manuel Xeres Burgos – whose house Rizal boarded
shortly before he became an inferno.
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
 Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) –
first poem he wrote for his mother’s birthday.
 In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, he wrote more
poems such as: Filicitacion (Felicitation), El
Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The
Departure Hymn to Magellan’s fleet), Y Es Espanol:
Elcano, the first to circumnavigate the world), and
El Combate: Urbiztondo Terror de Jolo (The Battle:
Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo).
 In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics: Un
Recuerdo a Mi Pueblu (In Memory of My Town),
Alianza Intima Entre la Region Y La Buena Educacion
(Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education), Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria
(Through Education the Country Receive Light), E
Cultivero Y El Triunfo (The Captivity and the Triumph:
Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil),
and La Entrada Triuntal de Los Reyes Catolices en
Granada (The Triumphal Entry of The Catholic
Monarches into Granada).
 A year later, in 1877 he wrote more poems: El
Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Colombus), Colon
y Juan II (Colombus and John II ), Gran Consuelo en la
Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune),
and Un Diarogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los
Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students.
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEMS
 Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – a brief ode;
written in 1875 when he was 14 years old.
 A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary).
DRAMATIC WORK IN ATENEO
 Father Sanchez, his favorite teacher, ask him to write a
drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace the
Martyr.
 Summer 1876 in Calamba - he wrote the religious
drama in poetic verses.
 June 02, 1876 - finished the manuscript.
 He submitted the finished manuscript entitled “San
Eustacio, Martir” (St. Eustace, the Martyr) to Father
Sanchez in his last academic year in Ateneo.
FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL
 16 years old - Rizal experienced his first romance.
 Segunda Katigba - a pretty 14 years old Batangueña
from Lipa; sister of his friend Mariano Katigbak.
 His sister Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda in La
Concordia College.
 Segunda was already engaged to Manuel Luz. His first
romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve.
 Segunda returned to Lipa and later married Manuel
Luz. Rizal remained in Calamba, a frustrated lover,
cherishing nostalgic memories of lost love.
CHAPTER 5: MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
 Doña Teodora opposed the idea of sending Rizal to
UST to pursue higher education because she knew
what happened to Gom-Bur-Za and the Spaniards
might cut off his head if he gets to know more. Rizal
was surprised by his mother’s opposition, who was a
woman of education and culture. Despite his mother’s
tears, Don Francisco told Paciano to accompany Rizal
to Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY
 April 1877 – Rizal matriculated in the University of
Santo Tomas.
 He enrolled in UST taking up Philosophy and
Letter for two reasons: (1) his father liked it and (2) he
was “still uncertain as to what career to pursue”
 He asked the advice of Father Pablo Ramon (Rector of
the Ateneo) on what career to choose but Father Recto
was in Mindanao so he was unable to advice Rizal.
 First-year Term (1877-78) – Rizal studied Cosmology,
Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.
 Ateneo Rector’s advice – study medicine; reason: to
be able to cure his mother’s growing blindness.
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO (1878)
 While Rizal was studying at UST, he also studied in
Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to the
title of “perito agrimensor” (expert surveyor).
 Colleges for boys in Manila offered vocational courses
in agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
 He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course
obtaining gold medals in agriculture and topography.
 At the age of 17, he passed the final examination in the
surveying course.
 November 25, 1881 – he was granted the title as
surveyor.
 Because of his loyalty to Ateneo, he continued to
participate actively in the Ateneo’s extra-curricular
activities.
 He was president of the Academy of Spanish
Literature and secretary of the Academy of Natural
Sciences.
ROMANCES WITH OTHER GIRLS
 Miss L
- Fair with seductive and attractive eyes.
- Romance died a natural death.
- 2 Reasons for his change of heart: (1) the sweet
memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart and
(2) his father did not like the family of “Miss L”.
 LEONOR VALENZUELA
- Daughter of the next-door neighbors of Doña
Concha Leyva (her house is where Rizal boarded).
- Tall girl with a regal bearing.
- Pet name: Orang.
- Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink.
This ink consisted of common table salt and water.
He taught Orang the secret of reading any note
written in the invisible ink by heating it over a
candle or lamp so that the words may appear.
 LEONOR RIVERA
- Rizal’s cousin from Camiling.
- Born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867.
- A student of La Concordia College where Rizal’s
youngest sister, Soledad was then studying.
- Frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower with
kindly, wistful eyes”.
- They became engaged.
- In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name as
“Taimis”, in order to camouflage their intimate
relationship from their parents and friends.
- Rizal lived in: Casa Tomasina No. 6 Calle Santo
Tomas, Intramuros Antonio Rivero – Rizal’s
landlord-uncle is the father of Leonor Rivera.
VICTIM OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY
 One dark night in Calamba, during the summer
vacation in 1878, when Rizal was walking in the street
and dimly perceived the figure of a man while passing
him. Not knowing the person was a lieutenant of the
Guardia Civil; he did not salute nor say greetings. With
a snarl, he turned upon Rizal, whipped out his sword
and brutally slashed his back.
 Rizal reported the incident to General Primo de Rivera,
the Spanish Governor General of the Philippines at
 that time, but nothing came out because he was an
Indio and the accused was a Spaniard. Later in a letter
to Blumentritt dated March 21, 1887, he related, “I
went to the Captain-General but I could not obtain
justice; my wound lasted two weeks.”
“TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH” (1879)
 Liceo Artisco-Literano (Artistic-Literary Lyceum)
of Manila – society of literary men and artists; held a
literary contest.
 At the age of 18, Rizal submitted his poem entitled A
La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth).
 The Board of Judges – composed of Spaniards; gave
the first prize to Rizal which consisted of a silver pen,
feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon.
 Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from
lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter than the wind
and descend with art and science to break the chains
that have long bound the spirit of people.
 Reasons why Rizal’s poem was a classic in Philippine
Literature: (1) it was the first great poem in Spanish
written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by
Spanish literary authorities and (2) it expressed for
the first time the nationalistic concept that the
Filipinos were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”.
“THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS” (1880)
 Artistic-Literary Lyceum – opened another literary
contest for both Filipino and Spaniards to
commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of
Cervantes, Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous
author of Don Quixote.
 Rizal submitted an allegorical drama entitled El
Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods) and
he received the first prize, a gold ring on which was
engraved the bust of Cervantes.
OTHER LITERARY WORKS
 Junto al Pasic (Beside the Pasig) (1880) – a zarzuela
which was staged by the Ateneans on December 08,
1880, on the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the
Immaculate Conception (Patrones of the Ateneo).
 A Filipinas (1880) – a sonnet he wrote for the album
of the Society of Sculptors.
 Abd-el-Azis (1879) – a poem declaimed by Manuel
Fernandez on the night of December 08, 1879 in honor
of the Ateneo’s Patroness.
 Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon (1881) – a poem he wrote as
an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon.
RIZAL’S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
 Summer of May 1881 - Rizal went to a pilgrimage to
the town of pakil, famous shrine of the Birhen Maria
de los Dolores.
 He was accompanied by his sisters—Saturnina , Maria,
and Trinidad and their female friends.
 They took a casco (flat-bottom sailing vessel) from
Calamba to Pakil, Laguna, and stayed at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Regalado, whose son Nicolas was
Rizal’s friend in Manila.
 Rizal and his companions were fascinated by the
famous turumba (people dancing in the streets during
the procession in honor of the miraculous Birhen
Maria de los Dolores)
 Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl colegiala, Vicenta
Ybardolaza, who skillfully played the harp at the
Regalado home.
 Reasons why Rizal and his company made side trip to
the neighboring town of Pagsanjan: (1) it was the
native town of Leonor Valenzuela and (2) to see the
world famed Pagsanjan Falls.
CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
 Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students in
their fights against the arrogant Spanish students, who
insultingly called their brown classmates “Indio,
chongo!” In retaliation, the Filipino students called
them “Kastila, bangus!”.
 In 1880 - Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino
students in the University of Santo Tomas called
“Compaňerismo” (Comradeship), whose members
were called “Companions of Jehu,” after the valiant
Hebrew general who fought the Armaeans.
 Galicano Apacible - Rizal’s cousin from Batangas;
secretary of Compañerismo.
 Fierce encounter near the Escolta in Manila where
Rizal was wounded on the head, and tenderly washed
and dressed by Leonor Rivera in his boarding house
“Casa Tomasina”.
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
 He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of
higher learning because (1) the Dominican professors
were hostile to him; (2) the Filipino students were
racially discriminated against by the Spaniards, and
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and
repressive.
 Rizal, the most brilliant graduate of Ateneo, failed to
win high scholastic honors.
DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD
 After finishing the fourth year of his medical course,
Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no longer
endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and
hostility in the University of Santo Tomas.
 He did not seek his parent’s permission and blessings
to go abroad; and even his beloved Leonor.
CHAPTER 6: IN SUNNY SPAIN (1882-1885)
RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION
 To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and
customs, industries, commerce and government and
laws of the Europian Nations in order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating of oppressed
people from Spanish tyranny.
 Approval of his older brother Paciano
 Rizal has no permission and blessings to his parents.
SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN
 The people who knows Rizal will go to Spain:
- Older brother (Paciano)
- His uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of Leonor
Rivera)
- His sisters (Neneng and Lucia)
- Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and Capitana
Sanday and their daughter Orang)
- Pedro A. Paterno
- Mateo Evangelista – his compadre
- Ateneo Jesuit fathers
- Some intimate friends, including Chengoy (Jose M.
Cecilio).
 Jose Mercado - the name he used; a cousin from
Biñan.
 May 3, 1882 - Rizal departed on board the Spanish
streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
SINGAPORE
 The only Filipino to board the steamer with 16
passengers, the rest was Spaniards, British, and Indian
Negroes.
 Captain Donato Lecha - ship captain from Asturias,
Spain, befriended him.
 May 08, 1882 - he saw a beautiful island; he
remembered “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”
 May 09 - the Salvadora docked at Singapore.
 Hotel de la Paz – Rizal registered here and spent two
days on sightseeing on a soiree of the city.
FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO
 May 11 - Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a
French streamer.
 Among these passengers were British, French, Dutch,
Spaniards, Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos (Mr. & Mrs.
Salazar, Mr. Vicente Pardo, and Jose Rizal).
 May 17- the Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast
town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Rizal was
unimpressed by this town; he said it is “picturesque
but lonely and quiet and at the same time sad”.
 Colombo - the capital of Ceylon; Rizal wrote on his
diary “Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant
than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.
FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL
 From Colombo, Djemnah continued the voyage
crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui,
Africa, and then a stopover on Aden. From Aden,
Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the Red Sea
terminal of the Suez Canal. It took five days to traverse
the Suez Canal. At Port Said, the Mediterranean
terminal of the Suez Canal, Rizal landed and he was
fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants
speaking a babel of tongues – Arabic, Egyptian, Greek,
French, Italian, Spanish, etc.
 Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa which he called
an “inhospitable land but famous”.
 Aden - hotter than manila; he was amused to see the
camels.
 Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer)
- built the Suez Canal, inaugurated on Nov. 17,
1869.
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
 June 11 – Rizal reached Naples.
 June 12 – the steamer docked at the French harbor of
Marseilles. He visited the famous Chateau d’lf, where
Dantes, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo, was
imprisoned.
 Stayed 2 ½ days at Marseilles.
BARCELONA
 May 15 – Rizal left Marseilles.
 June 16, 1882 – Rizal reached Barcelona, the greatest
city of Cataluña and Spain’s 2nd largest city.
 Rizal’s first impression on Barcelona: ugly, with dirty
little inns and inhospitable residents.
 Second impression: a great city, with an atmosphere of
freedom and liberalism, and its people were open-
hearted, hospitable, and courageous.
 Las Ramdas - most Famous street in Barcelona
“AMOR PATRIO”
 “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) – nationalistic
essay; his first article written on Spain’s soil.
 Basilio Teodoro Moran – publisher of Diariong
Tagalog, first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and
Tagalog.
 It was under Rizal’s pen name: Laong Laan.
 Printed in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882.
 Published in two texts – Spanish (originally written by
Rizal in Barcelona) and Tagalog (made by M.H. del
Pilar).
 “Los Viajes” (Travels) – second article for Diariong
Tagalog
 “Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid) – third
article; wrote in Madrid on November 29, 1882;
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had
ceased publication due to lack of funds.
MANILA MOVES TO MADRID
 September 15, 1882 - Rizal received a letter from
Paciano. According to the letter, cholera was ravaging
Manila and the provinces.
 Sad news from Chengoy, Leonora Rivera was unhappy
and getting thinner because of the absence of a loved
one.
 In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882) Paciano
advised Rizal to finish his medical course in Madrid,
therefore, Rizal establish himself to Madrid.
LIFE IN MADRID
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in the Universidad
Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid in
2 courses: Medicine and Philiosophy and Letters.
 Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando – school
where he studied painting and sculpture.
 Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell – place where
practiced fencing and shooting.
 Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey – former city mayor of
Manila; promoted vice-president of the Council of the
Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies (Ultramar).
ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
 Consuelo – prettiest daughter of Don Pablo fell in love
with Rizal.
 A La Señorita C. O. y P. (To Miss C. O. y P.) – a lovely
poem he composed on August 22, 1883 dedicated to
Consuelo.
 He backed out into a serious affair because (1) he was
still engaged to Leonor Rivera and (2) his friend and co-
worker in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete,
was madly in love with Consuelo.
“THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES”
 1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino
(Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards
and Filipinos.
 “Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me For Verses) –
personally declaimed during New Year’s Eve reception
of the Madrid Filipinos held on December 31, 1882.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
 Señor Roces – owner of store where Rizal purchased
2nd hand books.
 Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle
Tom’s Cabin” and Eugene Sue’s “The Wandering Jew”.
RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS
 June 17 to August 20, 1883 – sojourning in gay capital
of France.
 Hotel de Paris – where he first billeted on 37 Rue de
Maubange.
 Latin Quarter – where he moved; cheaper hotel on
124 Rue de Rennes.
RIZAL AS A MASON
 March 1883 – joined the Masonic lodge called
“Acacia” in Madrid.
 Reason for becoming a mason: to secure
Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
Philippines.
 Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – where he became a
Master Mason on November 15, 1890.
 February 15, 1892 – he was awarded the diploma as
Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris.
 “Science, Virtue and Labor” – only Masonic writing.
 Very active in Masonic affairs: M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez
Jaena, and Mariano Ponce.
FINANCIAL WORRIES
After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned from
bad to worse in Calamba. Due to hard times in Calamba,
the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in
arrival and there were times they never arrived. On June
24, 1884, a touching incident in Rizal’s life occurred; with
an empty stomach, he attended his class at the university,
participated in the contest in Greek language and won the
gold medal. In the evening, he was able to eat dinner, for
he was a guest speaker in a banquet held in honor of Juan
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles,
Madrid.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
 June 25, 1884 – the banquet was sponsored by the
Filipino community.
 Luna’s Spolarium won first prize and Hidalgo’s
Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace, second
prize in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid.
RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS
 November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – Madrid exploded in
bloody riots by the students of the Central University.
 Dr. Miguel Morayta – professor of history; these
student demonstrations were caused by his address
“the freedom of science and the teacher”.
 The appointment of the new Rector intensified the
fury of the student demonstrators.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
 June 21, 1884 - degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the
Universidad Central de Madrid.
 Did not present the thesis required for graduation nor
paid the corresponding fees, he was not awarded his
Doctor’s diploma.
 June 19, 1885 (his 24th birthday) – degree of Licentiate
in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central
de Madrid.
CHAPTER 7: PARIS TO BERLIN
After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris
and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology. He
particularly chose this branch of medicine because he
wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment.
In Berlin, Jose met and befriended several top German
scientists, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, and Dr.
Rudolf Virchow.
IN GAY PARIS (1885-86)
 Maximo Viola – friend of Jose; a medical student and a
member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan.
 Señor Eusebio Corominas – editor of the newspaper La
Publicidad and who made a crayon sketch of Don Miguel
Morayta.
 Don Miguel Morayta – owner of la Publicidad and a
statesman.
 November 1885 – Rizal was living in Paris, where he
sojourned for about four months.
 Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906) – leading French
ophthalmologist were Jose worked as an assistant from
Nov. 1885 to Feb. 1886.
 January 1, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter for his mother to
reveal that he was rapidly improved his knowledge in
ophthalmology.
Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the family of the
Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix, and Paz), Juan Luna and
Felix Resureccion Hidalgo.
"His co-Filipino medical student, Trinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera offered hospitality and support for Rizal's
courageous ventures. Nellie Bousted (standing third from
right), who lived in Biarritz and Paris, fenced with Rizal
(second from left) and might have become Mrs. Rizal, had
she not insisted on turning him Protestant. Also in photo are
artist Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (third from left) and Paz
Pardo de Tavera Luna (second from right). Juan Luna's
mother-in-law, Juliana GorrichoPardo de Tavera is seated at
the center holding Luna's son Andres."
 Paz Pardo de Taveras – a pretty girl who was engaged
to Juan Luna. In her album, Jose sketches the story of
“The Monkey and the Turtle”.
 “The Death of Cleopatra” – where he posed as an
Egyptian Priest.
 “The Blood Compact” – where he posed as Sikatuna,
with Trinidad Pardo de Taveras taking the role of
Legazpi.
"Rizal (seated) shared a deep friendship with painter Juan
Luna and often agreed to pose for Luna's paintings as in 'The
Death of Cleopatra.'" -- In Excelsis: The Mission of José Rizal,
Humanist and Philippine National Hero by Felice Prudenta
Sta. Maria. In the foreground is Rizal as Egyptian scribe,
recording the event for posterity. Behind him are Trinidad
Pardo de Tavera as Octavius Caesar and Felix Pardo de
Tavera as Dolabella. Missing are Charmian and Iras.
RIZAL AS A MUSICIAN
 November 27, 1878 – Rizal wrote a letter to Enrique Lete
saying that “he learned the solfeggio”, the piano, and
voice culture in one month and a half.
 Flute – the instrument that Jose played in every reunion
of Filipinos in Paris.
 “Alin Mang Lahi” (Any Race) – a patriotic song which
asserts that any race aspires for freedom.
 La Deportacion (Deportation) – a sad danza, which he
composed in Dapitan during his exile.
In Historic Heidelberg
 Feb. 1, 1886 – Jose left Gay, Paris for Germany.
 Feb. 3, 1886 – he arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in
Germany famous for its old university and romantic
surroundings.
 Chess player – Jose was a good chess player so that his
German friend made him a member of the Chess
Player’s Club.
 University of Heidelberg – where Jose transferred to a
boarding house near the said university.
To the Flowers of Heidelberg
 Spring of 1886 – Rizal was fascinated by the blooming
flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar River.
 The light blue “forget-me-not” – his favorite flower
 April 22, 1886 – wrote a fine poem “To the Flower of
Heidelberg”.
With Pastor Ullmer at Wilhemsfeld
 Wilhelmsfeld – where Rizal spent a three month
summer vacation.
 Protestant Pastor Dr. Karl Ullmer – where Rizal stay at
the vicarage of their house and who become his good
friend and admirer.
 June 25, 1886 – he ended his sojourn and felt the pays of
sadness.
 May 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote from Minich (Muchen) to
Friedrich (Fritz).
First Letter to Blumentritt
 July 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter in German to
Blumentritt.
 Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt – Director of the
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
Fifth Centenary of Heidelberg University
 August 6, 1886 – fifth centenary of Heidelberg
University
In Leipzig and Dresden
 August 9, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg.
 August 14, 1886 – when he arrived in Leipzig.
 Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into
Tagalog. He also translated Fairy Tales of Hans Christian
Anderson. He stayed about two and half month in
Leipzig.
 October 29, 1886 – he left Leipzig for Dresden where he
met Dr. Meyer.
 Dr. Adolph B. Meyer – director of the Anthropological
and Ethnological Museum.
 Nov. 1 – he left Dresden by train, reaching Berlin in the
evening.
Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Circles
 Berlin – where Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor
 Dr. Feodor Jagor – author of Travels in the Philippines.
 Dr. Hans Virchow – professor of Descriptive Anatomy.
 Dr. Rudolf Virchow – German Anthropologist.
 Dr. W. Joest – noted German geographer.
 Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – famous German
ophthalmologist where Jose worked in his clinic.
 Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society,
Ethnological Society, and Geographical Society of Berlin.
Rizal’s Life in Berlin
 Five reasons why Rizal lived in Germany:
─ Gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
─ Further his studies of sciences and languages
─ Observe the economic and political conditions of the
German nation
─ Associate with famous German scientists and
scholars
─ Publish his novel, Noli me Tangere
 Madame Lucie Cerdole – French professor; she became
Jose’s professor in Berlin. He took private lessons in
French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the
French language.
Rizal on German Women
 March 11, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter addressed to his
sister, Trinidad, expressing his high regard and
admiration for German womanhood.
 German woman – serious, diligent, educated and
friendly
 Spanish woman – gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome
German Customs
 Christmas custom of the Germans
 Self-introduce to stranger in social gathering
Rizal’s Darkest Winter
 Winter of 1886 – Rizal’s darkest winter in Berlin.
 He lived in poverty because no money arrived from
Calamba. Rizal starved in Berlin and shivered with
wintry cold, his health down due to lack of proper
nourishment.
CHAPTER 8: NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN
BERLIN(1887)
The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest
winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he was
flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina,
gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life
of Rizal for two reasons (1) it was a painful episode for he
was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city (2) it
brought him great joy after enduring so much sufferings,
because his first novel, Noli Me Tangere came off the press in
March, 1887. Like to the legendary Santa Claus, Dr. Maximo
Viola, his friend from BULACAN, arrived in BERLIN at the
height if his despondency and loaned him the needed funds
to publish the novel.
Idea of Writing a Novel on the Philippines
 His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s
Cabin - inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would
depict the miseries of his people (Filipinos) under the
lash of Spanish tyrants.
 January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno
residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the writings of a
novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos. His
proposals were approved by PATERNOS (Pedro,
Maximo and Antonio), Graciano Lopez JAENA, Evaristo
AGUIRRE, Eduardo DE LETE, Julio LLORENTE, Melecio
FIGUEROA and Valentin VENTURA.
The Writing of the Noli
 Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel
in Madrid and finished about one-half of it.
 When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his
studies in the Central University of Madrid, he continued
writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half.
 Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He
wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in Wilhelmsfeld
in April-June, 1886.
 In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal
made the final revisions on the manuscript of the Noli
Viola, Savior of the Noli
 Dr. Maximo Viola- Rizal’s rich friend from Bulacan,
arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and
loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; Viola
was shocked to find RIZAL in a dirty place, just not to
waste money for the printing of NOLI ME TANGERE.
 After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing
touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he
deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a
whole chapter—“Elias and Salome”.
 February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and
ready for printing.
 Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing
shop which charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos
for 2,00 copies of the novel
Rizal Suspected as French Spy.
During the printing of NOLI, the chief of police BERLIN
visit RIZAL’s boarding house and requested to see his
passport, unfortunately, that time to travel with or without
passports is possible. The police chief then told him to
produce a passport after 4 days.
Immediately VIOLA accompanied RIZAL in the Spanish
Ambassador, the COURT of BENOMAR, who promised to
attend to the matter. But the ambassador failed to keep his
promise, but it turns out that he had no power to issue the
required passport.
 The 4 day ultimatum expired. RIZAL himself apologize
to the chief police, while asking why has he to be deported,
the police chief answered that he was always seen visiting
many villages, thereby pronouncing him as a French SPY.
RIZAL in fluent GERMAN explained to the police, that he
was a Filipino ethnologist, who visits rural areas to observe
customs and lifestyles of their simple inhabitants. The chief
impressed and fascinated on RIZAL’s explanation, allowed
him to stay freely in GERMANY.
Printing of the Noli Finished
Every day, Rizal and Viola were always at the printing
shop proof reading the printed pages.
 March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press,
RIZAL immediately sent the first copies to
BLUMENTRITT, DR. ANTONIO REGIDOR, G. LOPEZ
JAENA, MARIANO PONCE, and FELIX R. HIDALGO.
“I am sending you a book, my first book… bold book on the
life of tagalongs… Filipinos will find it the history of the
last ten years…”
 March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and
gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it
and a complimentary copy, with the following
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first
to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”
The Title of the Novel
 The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means
“Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal,
for he admitted taking it from the Bible.
 Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5,
1887, said: “Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the
Gospel of St. Luke, signify “do not touch me” but Rizal
made a mistake, it should be the Gospel of St. John
(Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17).
“Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my father...”
 Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—
“To My Fatherland”.
 The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It
is a ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a
Maria Clara bodice represents the nation and the
women, victims of the social cancer. One of the causes
of the cancer is symbolized in the friar’s feet, outsized in
relation to the woman’s head. The other aggravating
causes of oppression and discrimination are shown in
the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of
bamboo stands at the backdrop; these are the people,
forever in the background of their own country’s
history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny
plants, a flame; these are indicative of the religious
policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a
result of these all.
 The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an
epilogue.
 Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer,
who had been exiled due to his complicity in the Cavite
Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much
impressed by its author.
Characters of Noli
 The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine
conditions during the last decades of Spanish rule.
 Maria Clara - was Leonor Rivera, although in real life
she became unfaithful and married an Englishman.
 Ibarra and Elias - represented Rizal himself.
 Tasio - the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother
Paciano.
 Padre Salvi - was identified by Rizalists as Padre
Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in
Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the
Revolution.
 Capitan Tiago - was Captain Hilario Sunico of San
Nicolas.
 Doña Victorina - was Doña Agustina Medel.
 Basilio and Crispin - were the Crisostomo brothers of
Hagonoy.
 Padre Damaso - typical of a domineering friar during
the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, immoral and anti-
Filipino.
CHAPTER 9: RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH
VIOLA (1887)
After the publication of Noli, Rizal planned to visit the
important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed to be
his traveling companion. Rizal received Pacianos remittance
of P1000 which forward by Juan Luna from Paris and
immediately paid his debt to Viola which he loaned so that
the Noli could be printed. First, he and Viola visited
Potsdam, a city near Berlin.
Tour Begins
At the dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola, two browned-
skinned doctors on a roaming spree, left Berlin by train.
Spring was an ideal season for travel. Their destination was
in Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany´.
Dresden
Rizal and Viola tarried for sometimes in Dresden. They
visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see them.
In the Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply impressed by
painting of Prometheus Bound´. They also meet Dr. Jagor
and heard there plan about Leitmeritz in order to see
Blumentritt. He advice to wire Blumentritt because the old
professor might be shock of their visit.
First Meeting with Blumentritt
At 1:30 pm of May 15, 1887 the train arrived at the railroad
station of Leitmeritz. Professor Blumentritt was at the
station carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which he sent to
identify his friend. Blumentritt get a room at Hotel Krebs,
after which he bought them to his house and stayed
Leitmeritz May 13 to 14 1887.
Beautiful Memories at Leitmeritz
They enjoyed hospitality of Blumentritt family. The
professor¶s wife, Rosa, was a goodcook. She prepared
Austrian dishes which Rizal¶s liked very much. Blumentritt
proved to be agreat tourist as well as hospitable host. He
showed the scenic and historical spots of Leitmeritz tohis
visitors. The Burgomaster (town mayor) was also amazed by
Rizals privileged talent.
Prague
Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague. They
carried letters of recommendation from Blumentritt to Dr.
Wilkom, professor in University of Prague. Rizal and Viola
visited the ³Tomb of Copernicus.
Vienna
May 20 they arrived at Vienna capital of Austria-Hungary.
They met Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelist iun that
time. They stayed at Hotel Metropole. They also meet two
good friends of Blumentritt ± Masner and Nordman,
Austrian scholars.
Danubian Voyage to Lintz
May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat too se
beautiful sights of Danube River. As they travelled along
the famous river, Rizal observed keenly river sights.
Form Lintz to Rheinfall
The river voyage ended in Lintz. They travelled overland to
Salzburg, and from there to Munich where the sojourned for
a short time to savor the famous Munich Beer.
Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland
They stayed from June 2 to 3 1887 and continued tour to
Basel (Bale), Bern, and Laussane.
Geneva
Rizal and Viola left Laussane in a little boat crossing the
foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. On June 19, 1887, his 26 th
birthday; Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. Rizal and Viola
spent fifteen days in Geneva. On June 23, they parted ways.
Viola decided to return to Barcelona while Rizal continued
his tour to Italy.
Rizal Resents Exhibition of Igorots in 1887 Madrid
Exposition
Rizal received sad news from his friends in Madrid of the
deplorable conditions of the primitive Igorots who were
exhibited in this exposition. Some of these Igorots died. Rizal
was outraged by the degradation of his fellow countrymen.
Rizal in Italy
He visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence. On June 27,
1887, he reached Rome. He was thrilled by the sights and
memories of the Eternal City Rome. On June 29th, Rizal
visited or the first time the Vatican, the City of the Popes and
the capital of Christendom. After a week of staying in Rome,
he prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home.
CHAPTER 10: FIRST HOMECOMING 1887-88
All the alluring beauties of foreign countries and all
the beautiful memories of his sojourn in alien lands could
neither make Rizal for his fatherland nor turn his back to his
own nationality. True that he studied abroad, acquired the
love and languages of foreign nations, and enjoyed the
friendship of many great men of the Western world; but he
remained at heart a true Filipino with an unquenchable love
for the Philippines and an unshakable determination to die
in the land of his birth. Thus, after five years of memorable
sojourn in Europe, he returned to the Philippines in August
1887 and practiced medicine in Calamba. He lived the quite
life of a country doctor. But his enemies, who resented his
Noli, persecuted him, even threatening to kill him.
Decision to Return Home
Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and
the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned by
Paciano (his brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law),
Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio), and other friends to return home.
But he did not heed their warnings. He was determined to
return to the Philippines for the following reasons: (1) to
operates on his mother’s eye’s; (2) to serve his people who
had long been oppressed by the Spanish tyrants; (3) to find
out for himself how the Noli and his other writings were
affecting the Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines: and
(4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.
In a letter to Blumentritt, written in Geneva on June
19, 1887, Rizal said: “Your advice that I live in Madrid and
continue to write from there is very benevolent but I cannot
accept it . I cannote endure the life in Madrid where
everything is a voice in a wilderness. My parents wants to
see me, and I want to see them also. All my life I desire to
live in my country by the side of my family. Until now I am
not Europeanized like the Filipinos of Madrid; I always like
to return to the country of my birth”.
In Rome, on June 29, 1887, Rizal wrote to his father,
announcing his homecoming. “On the 15th of July, at the
latest”, he wrote, “I shall embark for our country, so that
from 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”.
Delightful Trip to Manila
Rizal left Rome by the train for Marseilles, a French port,
which he researched without mishap. On July 3, 1887, he
boarded the streamer Djemnah, the same streamer which
brought him to Europe five years ago. There were about 50
passengers, including 4 Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2
Japanese, many Frenchmen, and 1 Filipino (Rizal).
Rizal was the only one among the passengers who could
speak many languages, so that he acted as interpreter for his
companions.
The Streamer was enroute to the Orient via the Suez
Canal. Rizal thus saw this historic canal for the second time,
the first time was when he sailed to Europe from Manila in
1882. On board, he played chess with fellow passengers and
engage in lively conversation in many languages. Some
passengers sang: others played on the piano and accordion.
After leaving Aden, the weather became rough and some of
Rizal’s books got wet. At Saigon, on July 30, he transferred to
another streamer Haiphong which was Manila-bound. On
August 2, this streamer left Saigon to Manila.
Arrival in Manila
Rizal”s voyage from Saigon to Manila wa pleasant. On
August 3rd the moon was full, and he slept soundly the whole
night. The calm see, illumined by the silvery moonlight, was
a magnificent sight to him.
Near midnight of August 5, the Haiphong arrived in
Manila. Rizal went ashore with a happy heart for he once
more trod his beloved native soil. He stayed in the city for a
short time to visit his friends. He found Manila the same as
when he left it five years ago. There were the same old
churches and buildings, the same holes in the road, the same
boats on the Pasig River, and the same heary walls
surrounding the city.
Happy Homecoming
On August 8th, he returned to Calamba, His family
welcomed him affectionately, with plentiful tears of joy.
Writing to Blumentritt of his homecoming, he said: “I had a
pleasant voyage. I found my family enjoying good health and
our happiness was great in seeing each other again. They
shed tears of joy and I had to answer ten thousand questions
at the same time”.
The rejoicings of Rizal’s return over, his family became
worried for his safety. Paciano did not leave him the first day
of his arrival to protect him from any enemy assault. His
own father would not let him go out alone, lest something
might happen to him.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic, his first
patient was his mother, who was almost blind, he treated
her eyes, but could not perform any surgical operations
because her eye cataracts were not yet ripe. News of arrival
of a great doctor from Germany spread far and wide.
Patients from Manila and the provinces flocked to Calamba.
Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he
came from Germany, treated their ailments and soon he
acquired a lucrative medical practice. His Professional fees
were reasonable, even gratis to the poor. Within a few
months, he was able to earn P900 as a physician. By
February, 1888, he earned a total of P5,000 as medical fees.
Unlike many successful medical practitioners, Rizal did
not selfishly devoted all his time to enriching himself. He
opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced
European sports. He tried to interest his townmates in
gymnastics, fencing and shooting so as to discourage the
cockfights and gambling.
Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of
sojourn in Calamba – his failure to see Leonor Rivera. He
tried to go to Dagupan, but his parents absolutely forbade
him to go because Leonor’s mother did not like him for a
son-in-law. With a heavy heart, Rizal bowed to his parent’s
wish. He was caught within the iron grip of the custom of his
time that marriages must be arranged by the parents of both
groom and bride.
Storm of the Noli
Meanwhile, as Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba,
his enemies plotted his doom. Aside from practicing
medicine, attending to his gymnasium, which he established,
and taking part in the town’s civic affairs. He painted several
beautiful landscapes and translated the German poems of
Von Wildernath into Tagalog.
A few weeks after his arrival, a storm broke over his
novel. One day Rizal received a letter from Governor General
Emilio Terrero (1885-88) requesting him to come in
Malacañan Palace. Somebody had whispered to the
governor’s ear that the Nolicontained subversive ideas.
Rizal went to Manila and appeared at Malacañang. When
he was informed by Governor General Terrero of the charge,
he denied it, explaining that he merely exposed the truth,
but he did not advocate subversive ideas. Pleased by his
explanation and curious about the controversial book, the
governor general asked the author for a copy then because
the only copy he brought home was given to a friend.
However, he promised to secure one for the governor
general.
Rizal Visited the Jesuit father to ask for the copy he sent
them, but they would not part with it. The Jesuits, especially
his former professors – Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Fr.
Jose Bech, and Fr. Federico Faura, who ventured an opinion
that “everything in it was the truth”, but added: “You may
lose your head for it”.
Fortunately, Rizal found a copy in the hands of a friend.
He was able to get it and gave it to Governor General
Terrero. The governor general, who was a liberal-minded
Spaniard, knew that Rizal’s life in jeopardy because the
friars were powerful. For security measure, he assigned a
young Spanish lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, as
bodyguard of Rizal. This lieutenant belonged to a noble
family. He was cultured and knew painting, and could speak
English, French, and Spanish.
Governor General Terrero rand the Noli and found
nothing wrong with in. But Rizal’s enemies were powerful.
The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican)
sent a copy of the Nolito Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria
of the University of Santo Tomas for examination by a
committee of the faculty. The committee, which was
composed of Dominican professor’s, submitted its report to
the Father Rector, who immediately transmitted it to
Archbishop Payo. The archbishop in turn, lost no time in
forwarding it to the governor general. This report of the
faculty members of the University of Santo Tomas stated
that the Noli was “heretical, impious, and scandalous in the
religion order, and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order,
injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the
Philippine Islands in the political order”.
Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied with the
report of the Dominicans, for he knew that the Dominicans
were prejudiced against Rizal. He send the novel to the
Permanent Commission of Censorship which was composed
of priest and laymen. The report of this commission was
drafted by its head, Fr. Salvador Font, Augustinian curaof
Tondo, and submitted to the governor general on December
29. It found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the
Church and Spain, and recommended “that the importation,
reproduction and circulation of this pernicious book in the
islands be absolutely prohibited”.
When the newspapers published Font’s written report
of the censorship commission, Rizal and his friends became
apprehensive and uneasy. The enemies of Rizal exulted in
unholy glee. The banning of the Noli only served to make it
popular. Everybody wanted to read it. News about the great
book spread among the masses. What the hated Spanish
masters did not like, the oppressed masses liked very much.
Despite the government prohibition and the vigilance of the
cruel Guardia Civil many Filipinos were able to get hold of
copies of the Noli which they read at night behind closed
doors.
Thanks to Governor General Terrero, there were no
mass imprisonment or mass execution of Filipinos. He
refused to be intimidated by the friars who clamored for
harsh measures against people who caught reading the
novel and its author.
Attackers of the Noli
The battle over the Noli took the form of a virulent war
of words. Father Font printed his report and distributed
copies for it in order to discredit the controversial novel.
Another Augustinian, Fr. Jose Rodriguez, Prior of Guadalupe,
published a series of eight pamphlets under the general
heading Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme
Interes) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writings.
These eight pamphlets wer entitled as follows:
1. Porque no los he de leer? (Why Should I not
Read Them?).
2. Guardaos de ellos. Porque?(Beware of Them.
Why?).
3. Y_que me dice usted de la peste? (And What
Can You Tell Me of Plague?).
4. Porquetriufan los impios? (Why Do the
Impious Truimph?).
5. Cree ustedque de versa no hay purgatorio? (Do
You Think There Is Really No Purgatory?).
6. Hay o no hay infierno? (Is There o Is There No
Hell?).
7. Que le pareceausted de esoslibelos? (What Do
You Think of These Libels?).
8. Confession o condenacion? (Confession or
Damnation?).
Copies of these anti-Rizal pamphlets written by Fray
Rodriguez were sold daily in the churches after Mass. Many
Filipinos were forced to buy them in order not to displease
the friars, but they did not believe what their author said
with hysterical fervor.
Repercussions of the storm over the Noli reached Spain.
It was fiercely attacked on the session hall of the Senate of
the Spanish Cortes by various senators, particularly General
Jose deSalamanca on April 1, 1888, General Luis M. de Pando
on April 12, and Sr. Fernando Vida on June 11. The Spanish
academician of Madrid, Vicente Barrantes, who formerly
occupied high government positions in the Philippines,
bitterly criticized the Noli in the article published in La
EsapañaModerna (a newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890.
Defenders of the Noli
The much-maligned Nolihad its gallant defenders who
fearlessly came out to prove the merits of the novel or to
refute the arguments of the unkind attackers. Marcelo H.
delPilar, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena,
Mariano Ponce, and other Filipino reformist in foreign lands,
of course, rushed to uphold the truths of the Noli. Father
Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo, defended and
praised it in public. Don SegismundoMoret, former Minister
of the Crown; Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and statesman;
and Professor Blumentritt, scholar and educator, read and
liked the novel.
A brilliant defense of the Noli came from an unexpected
source. It was by Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino Catholic
priest-scholar, theologian of the Manila Cathedral, and a
Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by
Thomas a Kempis. Father Garcia, writing under the penname
Justo DesiderioMagalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which
was published in Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet
dated July 18, 1888. He blasted the arguments of Fr.
Rodriguez as follows:
1. Rizal cannot be an “ignorant man”, as Fr.
Rodriguez alleged, because he was a graduated
of Spanish universities and was a recipient of
scholastic honors.
2. Rizal does not attack the Church and Spain, as
Fr. Rodriguez claimed, because what Rizal
attacked in the Noliwere the bad Spanish
officials and not Spain, and the bad and corrupt
friars and not the Church.
3. Father Rodriguez said that those who read the
Noli commit a mortal sin; since he (Rodriguez)
had read the novel, therefore he also commits a
mortal sin.
Later, when Rizal learned of the brilliant defense of
Father Garcia of his novel, he cried because his gratitude
was over-whelming. Rizal, himself defended his novel
against Barrantes attack, in a letter written in Brussels,
Belgium, in February, 1880. In this letter, he exposed
Barrantes’ ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental
dishonesty which is unworthy of an academician. Barrantes
met in Rizal his master in satire and polemics.
During the days when the Noli was the target of a heated
controversy between the friars (and their minions) and the
friends of Rizal, all copies of it were sold out and the price
per copy soared to unprecedented level. Both friends and
enemies of the Noli found it extremely difficult to secure a
copy. According to Rizal, in a letter to Fernando Canon from
Geneva, June 13, 1887, the price he set per copy was five
pesetas (equivalent to one pese), but the price later rose to
fifty pesos per copy.
Rizal and Taviel de Andrade
While the storm over the Noliwas raging in fury, Rizal
was not molested in Calamba. This is due to Governor
General Terrero’s generosity in assigning a bodyguard to
him. Between this Spanish bodyguard, Lt. Jose Taviel de
Andrade, and Rizal, a beautiful friendship bloomed.
Together, Rizal and Andrade, young, educated and
cultured, made walking tours of the verdant countrysides,
discussed topics of common interest, and enjoyed fencing,
shooting, hunting, and painting. Lt. Andrade became a great
admirer of the man he was ordered to watch and protect.
Years later, he wrote for Rizal: “Rizal was refined, educated
and gentlemanly. The hobbies that most interested him were
hunting, fencing, shooting, painting and hiking. . . I well
remember our excursion to Mount Makiling, not so much for
the beautiful view . . . as for the rumors and pernicious
effects that result from it. There has one who believed and
reported to Manila that Rizal and I at the top of the
mountain hoisted the German flag and proclaimed its
sovereignty over the Philippines. I imagined that such
nonsense emanated from the friars of Calamba, but did not
take the trouble to make inquiries about the matter”.
What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Lt.
Andrade were (1) the death of his older sister, Olimpia, and
(2) the groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he
was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a
Mason, a witch, a soul beyong salvation, etc”
Calamba’s Agrarian Trouble
Governor General Terrero, influenced by certain facts in
Noli Me Tangere, ordered a government investigation of the
friar estates to remedy whatever iniquities might have been
present in connection with land taxes and with tenant
relations. One of the friars estates affected was the Calamba
Hacienda which the Dominican Order owned since 1883. In
compliance with the governor general’s orders, dated
December 30, 1887, the Civil Governor of Laguna Province
directed the municipal authorities of Calamba to investigate
the agrarian conditions of their locality.
This time Rizal had to go. He could not very well disobey
the governor general’s veiled orders. But he was not running
like a coward from a fight. He was courageous, a fact which
his worst enemies could not deny. A valiant hero that he
was, he was not afraid of any man and neither was he afraid
to die. He was compelled to leave Calamba for two reason:
(1) his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and
happiness of his family and friends and (2) he could not fight
better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with
greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries.
A Poem for Lipa
Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888 his friend from
Lipa requested him to write a poem in commemoration of
the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra
Law of 1888. Gladly, he wrote a poem dedicated to the
industrious folks of Lipa. This was the “Himno Al Trabajo”
(Hymn to Labor). He finished it and sent it to Lipa before his
departure from Calamba.

Upon hearing of the investigation, the Calamba folks

solicited Rizal’s help in gathering the facts and listing their
grievances against the hacienda management, so that the
central government might institute certain agrarian reforms.

After a thorough study of the conditions of Calamba,

Rizal wrote down his findings which tenants and three of the
officials of the hacienda signed on January 8, 1888. These
findings, which were formally submitted to the government
for action, were the following:

1. The hacienda of the Dominican Order

comprised not only the lands around Calamba, but
also the town of Calamba.

2. The profits of the Dominican Order

continually increased because of the arbitrary
increase of the rentals paid by the tenants.

3. The hacienda owner never contributed a

single centavo for the celebration of the town fiesta,
for the education of the children, and for the
improvement of agriculture.

4. Tenants who had spent much labor in

clearing the lands were dispossessed of said lands
for flimsy reason.
5. High rates of interest were charged the
tenants for delayed payment of rentals, and when
the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda
management confiscated their carabaos, tools and
homes.

Farewell to Calamba

Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy

in Calamba infuriated further his enemies. The friars exerted
pressure on Malacañan Palace to eliminate him. They asked
Governor General Terrero to deport him, but the latter
refused because there was no valid charge against Rizal in
court. Anonymous threats against Rizal’s life were received
by his parents. The alarmed parents, relatives and friends
(including Lt. Taviel de Andrade) advised him to go away,
for his life was in danger.

One day Governor General Terrero summoned Rizal and

“advise” him to leave the Philippines for his own good. He
was giving Rizal a chance to escape the fury of the friar’s
wrath.